I used to be quite the Oscar connoisseur. I used to watch every film nominated in the Best Picture category at a minimum, and I often would watch all the films mentioned in the acting, animation and foreign film categories.

I have, sadly, become quite the slacker lately. Once the Academy included more than five films in the nominated group, it just became difficult to keep up with all of the nominees.

In an attempt to get back on track, I bought a ticket for a two-weekend Oscar marathon event at the AMC Southpoint 17 in Durham. The marathon was split over two Saturdays, with "Amour," "Les Miserables," "Argo" and "Django Unchained" comprising the first installment. This weekend, I saw "Beasts of the Southern Wild," "Life of Pi," "Lincoln," "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Zero Dark Thirty."

It was an ambitious assignment I had given myself, but I was committed to the task at hand.

It was time well spent. I got to watch a quartet of fine films of varied genres - uplifting musical, foreign love tragedy, espionage thriller and hyper-violent western.

But there were a few things I wasn't prepared for. If you ever decide to participate in such a marathon, you need to bring a pillow for your rump. I didn't, and wish I had.

Also, you should eat a hearty breakfast, because these marathons start in the morning and offer little time between films to get a decent meal. While it's tempting to think you'll just get the refillable large popcorn and drink, it's not as appetizing in application as it is in theory.

Comfort and cuisine considerations aside, I felt like an Oscar voter who was cramming up to the last minute to cast an informed ballot. Sure, I spent my entire day inside a movie theater, but by the end, I decided the marathon is the best way to go. With each film still fresh on my mind, I was best able to judge which movie and performances resonated with me the most.

I might just have to make this marathon business a new tradition.

Now that I'm caught up, here are my predictions for the major categories.

My pick: While I think it's highly unlikely that the Academy will split its Best Picture and Best Directing awards, that's exactly what I think will happen this year with "Argo" named worthy of Oscar gold.

My pick: Since Ben Affleck can't win here (he's not nominated), this is an uncertain spot. The bold choice would be Russell, but my heart tells me the Academy will give this to Spielberg, having had its fill of bold moves with Best Picture.

My pick: I'd give Emmanuelle Riva the Oscar for her heartbreaking work in "Amour," which is a moving and tragic film that hits you square in the chest. But watch out for Lawrence, who has won awards from other groups for her fierce performance.

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